From the time we are infants — and some say even before we are born! — we are enchanted by the sound of lullabies and get excited by the rap of a drum. From classical symphonies to pop concerts to Broadway to hip-hop, music really is a universal human experience.
There is something about a good beat and melody that most people find enjoyable. And it’s not just for fun. It’s good for our brains, too, says speech-language pathologist Abby Barnes, MS, CCC-SLP. “See ’n Say toys are great for babies to learn animal sounds, which is usually a precursor to them learning to say real words,” says Barnes. One study showed that 9-month-old babies who experienced a series of play sessions with music improved their brain processing power for both music and speech sounds.
It stands to reason that musical toys are in their own category. From helping babies and toddlers calm down with soothing sounds to providing delight at playtime, musical toys give children an experience they’ll want to revisit again and again. And modern toys have come a long way from that Fisher-Price Record Player we had as kids! Today’s toddlers can enjoy everything from dance party games to snuggly lullaby soothers. We rounded up some of the latest musical toys for toddlers, with options across all budgets and genres.
Mudpuppy Music Cats Board Book
Move over, Elmo. There’s a new musician in town. The Music Cats Board Book from Mudpuppy features a ton of cool cat musicians, including Tuna Turner, Dolly Purrton, Bob Meowly, The Notorious C.A.T., Meoyonce, and more.
Creative QT-Tickle & Main My Beary First Band Set
$26
from
Creative QT
This adorable educational gift features an illustrated storybook that accompanies a lineup of real instruments: a xylophone, maracas, a tambourine, and a triangle. Play along with the story with the instruments that are featured. The gift-ready set includes a colorful box with grosgrain ribbon and makes a perfect present for girls and boys ages 1 to 5.
Mollybee Kids Dance Party Cards
This fun-filled card set lets you choose your own musical adventure while getting the whole family together, moving and dancing and laughing out loud. The Dance Part Cards set from Mollybee Kids features 40 different dance moves and different modes of play designed for children ages 3 and up. Play Follow the Leader, where one person does a move and everyone follows along. Play Dance Show, where the player draws a card and performs the move, while the other players are the audience. Or, play Dance Circle, where the card is drawn and everyone dances along. Pick your favorite music and get dancing!
Vtech Kidibeats Drum Set
The KidiBeats Drum Set includes drum pads and a cymbal, and each produces its own sound, helping little ones develop sensory development and hand-eye coordination. Mom and food blogger Anne Aslanides says the set lasted for years and was well-loved by both her children. “We got the Vtech drum set when my first child turned 1, and have now had it for 4 years. While my 5-year-old is basically done with it, my almost-3-year-old still loves this toy.The set includes multiple modes of play, including free play, letters, numbers and follow-along games. Requires 3 AA batteries and features volumes controls.
Fisher Price See N Say
This one’s a classic. The See n Say offers endless fun, with two ways to play: Identify the animals or play in quiz mode. This classic toy plays Old MacDonald and Farmer in the Dell melodies and includes fun facts and sounds from 16 different animals. The play-based learning toy helps children build the foundational skills needed to develop speech and language.
Cali’s Books: The Nutcracker
These innovative storybooks from Cali’s Books feature whimsical illustrations and stories with musical sound buttons that play 15 seconds of music on each page. This series offers an introduction to ballet through six classic Tchaikovsky compositions, including The Nutcracker and its famous pieces such as “March of the Toy Soldiers,” “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” and more.
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